Chapter 577

Su Yang, caught in a media vortex, after dinner wanted to go straight to bed with the electric blanket, and he didn't take this mess to heart.

He knew exactly who wanted to mess with him, and he also knew who was anxious about this matter.

In fact, he was merely a fuse that could spark a fight; once the war started, it wouldn't be his business, so why should he worry needlessly.

But after he had just slept a while, the phone jolted him awake; when he picked it up, it was Fang Jingwen calling.

"Are you catching a cold? If it's serious, go to the Xian Yiyuan for hospitalization; that way you won't have the Investigation Team's people coming into your township."

As expected, this way of checking in is very Fang Jingwen. You could say she's checking on you, but the tone and wording always feel a bit uncomfortable.

"I'm not that fragile; it's just a minor cold. I've already gotten an IV at the township health clinic, and I expect to be fine by tomorrow."

"As for the Investigation Team, it's only a matter of time; let them come when they must, preferably sooner, so we don't have to wait every day and cause trouble."

"If you have nothing else, I'll hang up; I just took my medicine and I'm exhausted." Su Yang really didn't want to talk with Fang Jingwen any longer; at this moment, sleep was the most important thing.

"You do seem pretty open‑minded; let me tell you, they've already set out, and tonight they'll whisk you away in the middle of the night to investigate this matter."

"The province is also paying close attention to this, and you are acting as if nothing's wrong; shouldn't you step forward and clarify things yourself?"

"You act like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water—so what am I supposed to do? Being pointed at every day, what does that even mean?"

"Of course, the reason I'm calling is that there's another matter: don't you think that when we were on the mountain, someone was secretly filming?"

"Although some of those photos are certainly composites, a few are definitely authentic; those must have been taken by someone on the mountain."

"I went up the mountain on a whim, not part of any plan, so this wasn't done by county or city officials; it must be someone from your township behind this."

"You've spent most of the past few months focusing on work, and haven't paid any attention to these hidden corners at all."

"Don't think that removing the tumor Chui Mingjiu will make Xiushui Xiang completely peaceful and everyone will work honestly; I tell you, greed in people's hearts can surface at any time."

"Initially, not appointing a township head for your township was essentially to let you better control the township government, but that also allows some hidden miscreants to work behind the scenes."

"So use this time to root out that person."

Su Yang suddenly realized he had been careless before, never considering such matters, and had only been focused on completing the Xiushui Mountain project.

Moreover, his outlook extended far beyond that, so he never thought township residents could be behind these dirty deeds; but saying that, it's basically certain that locals are the ones causing trouble.

After hanging up, he immediately called Li Xiangdong.

Li Xiangdong had already gone home, but after receiving Su Yang's call, he hurried back.

As soon as he entered, Su Yang recounted what had just happened and added, "The Joint Investigation Team formed by the provincial and municipal levels has already set out; I estimate they'll arrive in the township overnight."

"So we don't have much time left; first, track down that person, and have Director Xiang send two people to keep an eye on them for me, as they'll be crucial at the critical moment."

Li Xiangdong, hearing this, immediately cursed, "Damn, they're really worthless! Do they have any idea what's going on in our Xiushui Xiang?"

"After finally hoping for a leader who could lift us out of poverty, these people are still scheming behind our backs; I really wish I could pull that person out and slap them on the spot."

"But rest assured, there are only a few people in the township, and those capable of such thoughts can be counted on one hand."

"I'll go out right now to investigate this, and later I'll contact Director Xiang."

After giving all the instructions, Su Yang turned back to sleep. He already had a slight cold, and thinking he might be hauled out of his bed tonight, he decided to sleep early and conserve his strength.

After 11 p. m., a vehicle drove into the courtyard of the Xiushui Xiang government.

Immediately followed by a rapid knock, Su Yang groggily sat up: "Who is it? It's the middle of the night—are you announcing a death? Who's knocking like that at this hour?"

Of course he knew it was the Investigation Team arriving; otherwise, why would they speak in that tone?

The one pounding the door outside was Chang Kai. Eager to earn merit, he hadn't even let the car settle when he asked county Discipline Inspection Commission staff for Su Yang's office and sprinted to the door to knock.

He didn't expect Su Yang to berate him from inside; the scolding wasn't vulgar, but it was quite unsettling.

"We are the Joint Investigation Team; open the door quickly," Chang Kai said, seething with anger.

Su Yang leisurely crawled out of the bed: "Which Joint Investigation Team? Why haven't I received a call? What are you doing in the middle of the night? Do you think I won't call the Paichusuo and have you lot who are causing trouble at the township government at this hour arrested?"

At that moment, the other members of the Joint Investigation Team arrived at Su Yang's office door; upon hearing this, they all shared an indescribable feeling.

Usually, when people hear that leaders or Joint Investigation Team members are coming, they scramble to dress and rush to open the door, but Su Yang was indeed different; even after hearing it was the Joint Investigation Team, he remained leisurely.

"Are you deaf? Did you hear me? We are the Joint Investigation Team, here to investigate your conduct and that of your county's female leader. We also received a report that, while serving as Township Party Committee Secretary, you engaged in corruption—accepting bribes, taking kickbacks, demanding favors. Come out and explain all the issues, or we'll take you straight to the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the looks of the Investigation Team members toward him changed instantly.

Who is this female leader? It's Fang Jingwen. Technically, Fang Jingwen is still the Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary, and because this case involves her personally, she didn't come.

However, there were staff from the county Discipline Inspection Commission, and also the senior provincial Discipline Inspection Commission leader Gao Fujun leading the team; his purpose this time is to clarify the facts before a final verdict is made, to prevent Su Yang from being scapegoated—not to convict him outright.

Just as he felt irritated and tried to stop Chang Kai, Chang Kai couldn't wait for Su Yang to open the door, stepped back two steps, and kicked the door hard.

Yet at that instant, Su Yang opened the door from inside.

The door swung open unexpectedly, causing Chang Kai to tumble under Su Yang's foot like a feral dog scrambling for poop.